Some areas in Chromepet do not have drainage connections and others suffer from clogged drains

Lack of drainage connections, clogging of drains, encroachment of service lanes were just some of the issues raised by residents of Chromepet with officials of the Pallavaram municipality at a meeting held recently.

Even today, some areas in Chromepet do not have drainage connections and the ones which do have them, suffer from clogging, said V. Santhanam, president of the Chromepet New Colony Residents Welfare Society.

“Areas in wards 38 like Ezhumalai Nagar still don’t have drainage connections because of which people are suffering a great deal there. Also, during the monsoon, the drainage clogs and overflows in many streets,” he said.

Since they are living in the tail-end of Chromepet area, desilting of the existing drainage canals has not been carried out for over two decades now, he said.

“The drainage canals flows into the Veeraraghavan lake and it has been polluted to the maximum extent due to this process. When we raised these issues, the officials of the Pallavaram municipality assured us that most of the problems will be sorted. We will have to wait and see,” Mr. Santhanam said.

Congested roads and streets

Another resident of Chromepet K. Subramanian said encroachments on the service road beneath the MIT flyover have been causing a nuisance to commuters in the area.

“There is hardly any space for us to walk owing to the encroachment. This service road is crucial for residents of New Colony,” he said. That apart, streets from 13 to 16 cross face congestion due to street parking, he said.

Officials of the Pallavaram municipality said they would begin works on improving the drainage system. Additional funds have been allocated to give new drainage connections to residences that lack the facility.

“We have been given an additional Rs. 2 crore; so, from 13 crore it has been increased to 15 crore. In about six months the process will begin in a full-fledged manner,” he said.